Inspiration for Aspiring Writers: A Journey of Growth
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Chapter 1: My Writing Journey on Medium
Dear reader,
This marks the beginning of my narrative regarding my experiences on the Medium platform. While I don’t have impressive metrics to showcase just yet, my intent is not to flaunt my modest statistics but to motivate budding writers.
The core of my message is the significance of consistent writing, which can ultimately help in attracting the necessary followers to qualify for the Medium Partner Program (MPP). By dedicating ourselves to regular writing, we can refine our skills and cultivate a loyal readership over time.
While every writer's journey is unique, a common thread is the commitment to consistently produce engaging and high-quality content that resonates with readers. Through this post, I aim to spark enthusiasm among emerging writers, encouraging them to stay the course in their writing pursuits.
The road may be challenging, but with persistence and effort, we can achieve our aspirations. The MPP presents a fantastic opportunity for writers to earn from their work and make a name for themselves within the Medium community. By reaching the milestone of 100 followers, writers can unlock the advantages that come with this program.
Each writer has a distinct voice and perspective that deserves to be heard. I hope this message inspires aspiring authors to embrace their creativity, share their narratives with confidence, and contribute to the rich tapestry of Medium’s community.
Here’s a glimpse of my journey. It’s important to note that numbers alone do not define success; rather, it’s the impact and meaningful connections we forge through our writing.
A Snapshot of My Progress
I want to start by sharing my follower count, as this is crucial in motivating newcomers to join Medium. As an avid reader, I became a member of Medium in April 2022 after being invited by Dr. Mehmet Yildiz, whose captivating stories drew me in.
For over a year, until May 2023, I remained solely a reader and managed to gather around 20 followers. However, upon publishing my first article in May, my follower count tripled. After writing five articles in June, I ended up gaining 246 followers, thus qualifying for the MPP.
My five articles earned me $3.32 in the MPP. While this may seem insignificant to some, it holds great meaning for me as it represents a small reward for my first month of writing.
Recently, I came across a story by the accomplished writer Jerry Keszka, who began with just 77 cents in earnings in February 2022, and now he earns thousands monthly, totaling around $28K to date. You can find his inspiring journey linked here.
Other writers, such as Sinem Günel, Ayodeji Awosika, and Tim Denning, have also found financial success within the Illumination publications. I read about S M Mamunur Rahman, whose story generated $20K last year with over half a million views on Illumination. This showcases the potential for earnings on this platform.
However, my primary goal isn’t financial gain; I have my retirement funds for that. Instead, I aim to share valuable life lessons that may benefit others. As a retired scientist and educator with grown children, I feel compelled to contribute.
I am particularly thankful to Dr. Yildiz for introducing me to this platform and mentoring me. He plays a crucial role in guiding numerous new writers like myself through his supportive Slack community.
Here’s a list of my published articles from June 2023:
- 5 Reasons I Enjoy My Retirement Years More Than Working Ones
- Fixing Sleep Issues and Enjoying Restful Nights
- My Journey to a Smoke-Free Life
- How I Quit Alcohol at a Young Age
- Why I Fell in Love with Euphoria
These pieces collectively received 665 views and 404 reads, resulting in 189 fans drawn to my profile.
I won’t inundate you with further statistics, as I only mentioned them to offer perspective to absolute beginners. However, I'd like to touch briefly on the importance of meaningful engagement and sharing content on social media.
The Importance of Social Media Engagement
As a reader, I enjoy showing my appreciation for stories through clapping and providing brief feedback. Yet, as a writer, I deeply value such interactions, as they can bring immense joy and fulfillment.
Every writer longs for genuine engagement from their audience, as even a few sincere words of encouragement can uplift a writer's spirits and create a sense of connection. Let’s spread positivity and share our thoughts—leaving feedback can brighten someone’s day.
After reading an inspiring story titled "How Writers and Readers Can Use Social Media Productively," I decided to create separate LinkedIn and Twitter accounts for my writing engagements. Within a week, I gained 25 followers on LinkedIn and 58 on Twitter, primarily through Medium.
I now share stories I read on Twitter and LinkedIn as recommended by my mentors. To my surprise, one of my LinkedIn posts garnered over 5,000 impressions with just 25 followers, proving that our stories can reach a wider audience and attract new readers to Medium.
This particular post featured an interview with Dr. Yogesh Haribhau Kulkarni, a renowned AI professional and editor of the Technology Hits publication on Medium, part of the Illumination family.
Final Thoughts
I hope this optimistic account serves as inspiration for new writers venturing onto Medium. If you aim to gain 100 followers like I did in a month, consider checking out Dr. Yildiz's article, which offers guidance for new writers.
The first video titled "8 Brutal Truths You Need to Hear as a Writer (to Actually Make Money)" provides essential insights for writers navigating the financial aspects of their craft.
The second video, "5 Things Audiences Hate (Writing Advice)," highlights common pitfalls to avoid as a writer.
After engaging with Dr. Yildiz’s advice on becoming a top writer in three months, I set a goal to publish a story every day in the coming months. His insights have also motivated me to write compelling content that is likely to attract readers.
As part of my commitment to give back, I have volunteered as an editor for Illumination, Synergy, Book Chapters, and Readers Hope publications, aiding many new writers in their journeys.
Thank you for reading my story. I look forward to your feedback, and if you'd like to connect, feel free to reach out on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Quora, where I share stories that resonate with me.
If you enjoy reading, consider joining Medium using my referral link for unlimited access to a wealth of stories from various writers.